Liberty Lost: Episode 2 – "We All Fall Down"

In the second episode of Wondery’s gripping series Liberty Lost, "We All Fall Down," host and reporter T. J. Raphael delves deeper into the harrowing experiences of young women confined within the Liberty Godparent Home, a facility affiliated with Liberty University. This episode unravels personal narratives, institutional practices, and the broader socio-political landscape that has allowed such maternity homes to resurface in post-Roe America.

Introduction to the Liberty Godparent Home

The episode opens with the poignant arrival of Abby, a 17-year-old who becomes pregnant at 16. Transported over 200 miles away from her hometown to the Liberty Godparent Home, Abby's initial impressions set the tone for the strict environment she is about to endure.

[00:44] Abby: "I first walked past this living room area that's got one very old, like retro 80s bulbous TV that looked dusty and unused."

Raphael paints a vivid picture of the home's austere atmosphere—dark carpeting, uninviting décor, and an overwhelming sense of control. The facility enforces rigid schedules and stringent rules that leave little room for personal freedom.

[01:44] Abby: "I'm being told what time we need to be out of our rooms in the morning, what period of time in the morning we're allowed to be in the kitchen making ourselves food, what type of food we're allowed to make for ourselves."

Historical Context: Jerry Falwell and the Rise of Anti-Abortion Movements

Raphael provides a comprehensive background on Jerry Falwell, elucidating his pivotal role in transforming evangelical priorities from combating racial integration to spearheading the anti-abortion movement. Initially supportive of abortion in specific circumstances, Falwell leveraged the Roe v. Wade decision as a catalyst to galvanize his base around a newfound wedge issue.

[08:52] Jerry Falwell: "And so we have the judiciary interfering with the family. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church."

This strategic shift not only bolstered the evangelical movement but also facilitated the establishment of facilities like the Liberty Godparent Home, aimed at providing "better" alternatives for unwed mothers outside the realm of abortion.

Personal Stories: Tony and Zoe's Journey

The episode spotlights Tony Popham and Zoe Shaw, two young women whose lives intertwine within the confines of the Godparent Home. Both faced tumultuous family situations that led them to seek refuge in the facility.

Tony's Experience

Tony's parents' divorce precipitated her placement at the home. Struggling with her new family dynamics, she found solace in the camaraderie of other girls until her pregnancy led her to seek assistance.

[12:42] Toni: "It's just. It did not feel right for me."

Disheartened by her mother's betrayal and the conditional support offered by the facility's adoption agency, Tony grapples with feelings of abandonment and shame.

Zoe's Struggle

Zoe, a 15-year-old who becomes pregnant, reflects on the immense pressure to meet her parents' expectations and the subsequent betrayal upon learning of the home’s true intentions.

[14:22] Zoe: "To go to college. I was supposed to get a scholarship, and I was supposed to, you know, run track and succeed and do all these things that my parents expected me to do."

Her attempted abortion, thwarted by a nurse's intervention, marks a turning point that leads her back to the home, where she confronts the bleak reality of her options.

Institutional Practices and Psychological Impact

Inside the Liberty Godparent Home, the girls are subjected to an array of restrictive policies designed to limit their autonomy and enforce compliance. Raphael details these measures, emphasizing the psychological toll they take on the residents.

• Regulated Communication: Girls are limited to two 30-minute phone calls per week, controlled by their parents and the home’s administration.

[23:11] Abby: "I was given two 30 minute phone calls a week that my parents got to decide who I was allowed to talk to."

• Controlled Environment: Strict dress codes, limited access to media (only Christian-approved content), and mandatory household chores regardless of the girls' physical or emotional state.

• Isolation and Punishment: Non-compliance results in isolation, and attempts to escape are met with threats of police involvement.

These oppressive conditions foster an environment of fear, shame, and disempowerment, leaving the girls feeling isolated and hopeless.

[17:57] Toni: "I can't even be loved by God, so who else is gonna love me?"

Counseling and Resilience: Abby's Fight for Her Baby

Amidst the suffocating rules, Abby strives to retain custody of her unborn son. Regular counseling sessions, however, prove largely ineffective, as counselors often display impatience and a lack of empathy.

[32:25] Abby: "I don't want to lose my baby. I don't want this adoption."

Despite systemic barriers and frequent cancellations of her appointments, Abby remains determined to navigate the convoluted adoption process in hopes of keeping her child. Her journey underscores a critical aspect of the home’s operations: the illusion of choice that ultimately funnels the girls toward adoption.

Nathan's Parallel Journey and the Tragic Disconnect

Parallel to Abby’s story is Nathan, Abby’s partner, who remains in North Carolina, unaware of her placement in the Godparent Home. Nathan’s unwavering faith and desperate attempts to reconnect highlight the rupture caused by institutional secrecy.

[38:32] Nathan's Voice: "I sat with my phone plugged into the wall for days and days and days. Wouldn't go to work, wouldn't do anything. Just to make sure that I wouldn't miss her call."

Nathan’s eventual discovery that Abby has been coerced into placing their baby for adoption culminates in his emotional turmoil and determination to reclaim his parental rights, setting the stage for further conflict.

Conclusion: The Perpetuation of Control and the Battle for Autonomy

"We All Fall Down" meticulously exposes the mechanisms through which the Liberty Godparent Home exerts control over pregnant teens, stripping them of agency and channeling them towards predetermined outcomes aligned with specific ideological agendas. Through the intertwined stories of Abby, Tony, Zoe, and Nathan, Raphael illuminates the profound personal and emotional consequences of such institutions.

The episode serves as a stark reminder of the lingering presence of coercive maternity homes in modern America, challenging listeners to reconsider the intersection of faith, politics, and personal freedoms.

[24:27] Abby: "We weren't allowed to talk with our girlfriends about our pregnancies. That was hard for them to control, but they tried very hard and it definitely sowed a sense of fear into all of us."

As Abby’s struggle continues, the narrative underscores a broader societal issue: the commodification of women's bodies and the ethical implications of institutional control over reproductive choices.

Notable Quotes:

• Abby on her first impressions:

  "[00:44] Abby: 'I first walked past this living room area that's got one very old, like retro 80s bulbous TV that looked dusty and unused.'"

• Jerry Falwell on the judiciary and family:

  "[08:52] Jerry Falwell: 'And so we have the judiciary interfering with the family. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church.'"

• Tony on feeling unloved:

  "[17:57] Toni: 'I can't even be loved by God, so who else is gonna love me?'"

• Nathan's despair:

  "[39:34] Nathan's Voice: 'I was just trying to, like, respect her by giving her space and. And respecting them in hopes they could see that I wasn't this, like, deviant person.'"

Liberty Lost continues to unravel these complex and emotionally charged stories, offering listeners an unflinching look into the lives of young women battling institutionalized oppression. Episode 2, "We All Fall Down," lays a compelling foundation for understanding the systemic forces at play and the personal resilience of those who dare to resist.